The idea of soul and rock becoming increasingly intermingled and on the mainstream radar, with bands like The Heavy and the Black Keys, is one that I've wrestled with over the past couple years. Of course, the issue of credibility and appropriation are always going to be present in the discussion, but to my ears the bigger issue is something much more intangible - a bristling that comes up my back, and I can't help but picture Blueshammer from Ghost World. Better than the large part of rock bands incorporating soul touchstones, The Missionary Position manage to emerge relatively unscathed from these comparisons. Their combination of alt-rock, post-grunge influences and '70s soul flourishes is tasteful and seemingly completely sincere, which helps a great deal in avoiding that bristling feeling.

JAZZBONES, 8:30 P.M., $7, 2803 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.396.9169